Oral hygiene has come a long way from the twigs, bird feathers and animal bones our ancestors used to clean their teeth. The first recorded toothbrush in history - which consisted of a twig with a frayed end called a chew stick - dates back to 3,000 BC, but toothbrushes have since evolved to include electric numbers that move the brush head more rapidly than our puny wrists can manage. Such devices of course require charging, which usually means a charge station taking up valuable real estate on the bathroom counter alongside a rinsing glass. Now Philips has released a toothbrush that charges when placed in a glass that can still be used to rinse your mouth after brushing.

Philips' Sonicare DiamondClean Toothbrush comes with a charging glass that fulfills the standard function of a glass - holding water so you can rinse your mouth after brushing - but also doubles as a charger to top up the toothbrush's rechargeable battery. The glass works its magic using induction charging technology like that found in wireless charging solutions such as the Powermat.

In addition to the charging glass, the toothbrush can also be charged via USB thanks to the inclusion of a USB charging travel case, which is designed for chucking in a suitcase when hitting the road. This allows the toothbrush to be charged via a laptop as well as a standard wall socket by using the included adapter.

As for the act of brushing itself, the Sonicare DiamondClean features five different brushing modes and two timers; one that encourages even brushing by signaling every 30 seconds to indicate you should move onto a different area; and another that lets you know when you've been brushing for two minutes - the ideal recommended brushing time.

Darren's love of technology started in primary school with a Nintendo Game & Watch Donkey Kong (still functioning) and a Commodore VIC 20 computer (not still functioning). In high school he upgraded to a 286 PC, and he's been following Moore's law ever since. This love of technology continued through a number of university courses and crappy jobs until 2008, when his interests found a home at Gizmag.